Furniture-caster



(No Model.)

C. A. WHITNEY.

FURNITURE GASTBR.

,418. Patented Oct. 26, 1886.

\NTNESSES Theme STATES PATENT OFFICE;

CHARLES A. XVHITNEY, OF \VALTHAM, MASSACHUSETTS.

FURNITUR E-CASTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 351,418, dated October26, 1886.

Application filed September 25, 1885. Serial No. 178,163. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES AWHITNEY, of Waltham, in the county ofMiddlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement inFurniture-Casters, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a cheap, simple, and durablefurniture-caster, in which the friction will be very materially reduced,so as to cause the caster to more readily swivel or turn upon itsvertical pivotal axis when applied to the legs of furniture than thoseheretofore constructed and now n general use, and it consistsin the construction, combination, and arrangement of the several parts of thecaster, as hereinafter more fully described, and specifically set forthin the claim.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a caster constructed accordingto my invention. Fig. 2 represents a vertical sectional elevation ofsame, with spindle and wheel in position in frame. Fig. 3 represents aperspective view of the spindle. Fig. 4 represents a vertical sectionalelevation of the frame.

A represents the spindle having a washer, B, pressed or forced upon. thesame about midlength thereof, and an annular concave groove, 0, formednear the lower end thereof, and the extreme lower end,D,made conical oroval, forming a bearing for the said spindle at the lower rear portion,E, of the frame F, which is provided with a small rib, G, which entersthe said annular groove 0 in the said when in position for use, andserves to retain it in place when there is no pressure upon the wheel H,journaled between the curved wings L of the said supporting-frame F. Theperiphery of the said wheel H extends to a point very near the lower endportion, D, ofthe said spindle, so as to prevent itslateral movementaway from its seated bearing E when the parts are relieved from pressureor not in use. The surface of the spindle toward the said wings L, andjust below the said washer or collar B, has a bearing against the upperend portion, K, of the said supporting-frame F when pressure is appliedupon the caster-wheel journaled between the ends of the wings L, whichconspindle A the top opening of the frame from the rear,.

opposite the projecting wings, on an angle,and carried downward andbrought into a vertical position, with its lower end resting upon itsseat. Then the wheel is placed in position between the wings, and theaxle-journal is inserted through the openings or holes formed throughthe ends of the said wings horizontally, and through the hub of the saidwheel, and riveted in position, as heretofore employed for the purpose,thus completing the caster ready to be applied to the leg of an articleof furniture, which has a vertical hole formed in the lower end thereofto receive the upward end portion of the said spindle,which is to bedriven therein by striking upon the bottom face of the rear seatportion, E, until the said washer B contacts with the lower end of theleg, as usual; or the upward end portion of the spindle may bescrew-threaded, or adapted to be secured to the end of the leg in anywell-known manner. It will be seen and understood that the said rib G isso formed as to be cast in one solid piece with the said frame F, thussimplifying the construction thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is A furniture-casterconsisting of the spindle A, having an annular groove, C, near the lowerend, D, thereof, and a frame, F, provided with an interior rib, G, whichenters said groove near the bearing E of the said spindle, and havingwings L, between which the wheel H is journaled, whereby its peripheryretains the said spindle in position when the caster is freed frompressure, as described.

CHARLES A. \VHITNEY.

Witnesses:

SYLVENUs WALKER, WALTER WHITEMORE.

